Allahabad to Prayagraj: Did Twitterati Like the Switch?

The historic city of Allahabad will be renamed ‘Prayagraj’, a spokesperson of Uttar Pradesh government announced on Tuesday, 16 October.

The announcement comes after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in May, accepted a proposal by Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad of renaming the city Prayag ie confluence of two rivers.

The renaming process will start by initially changing the name in central government-controlled institutions like the Railways, Allahabad University and the Allahabad High Court.

While the Opposition condemned the move, tweeple came up with mixed reactions.

Modi Ji : Rupee is falling continuously, what should we do to fix it?

Yogi : Rupee Ka naam badal kar Kuwaiti Dinar rakh do#Prayagraj

— Siona Gogoi (@AtomicBlow) October 15, 2018

can I changed my name to Neeta Ambani?
will that make me a billionare ?

#Prayagraj

— Main Hoon Na (@neo_pac) October 16, 2018

I was born an Allahabadi.And will die an Allahabadi. #Prayagraj train thi aur train hi rahegi.

— Shreyansh Shrivastav (@shreyansh309) October 16, 2018

‘Unnecessary Expenses’

Apart from scoring political brownie points, let us not forget that changing names of cities leads to massive (unnecessary) expenses.

Just think of the signboards on highways which currently read Allahabad that'll need to be changed to #Prayagraj.

— Meghnad (@Memeghnad) October 16, 2018

Promised - Kashi will be transformed into a smart city like Kyoto.

Delivered - Mughalsarai to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya station, Allahabad to #Prayagraj!

Why not also change the name of Rajdhani Express to Bullet Train, since 'vikas' is all about name changes for #Modi Sarkar?

— Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) October 16, 2018

#Allahabad name changed to #Prayagraj

Ahmedabad & Hyderabad very worried.

— Atul Khatri (@one_by_two) October 16, 2018

‘Restoring, Not Renaming’

Some people also supported the move and called this a ‘restoration’ and assertion of past heritage and culture.

#Prayagraj

I don't understand why so-called modern society has problem to connect with our own culture.

The name Prayaraj change by Akbar, a intruder and devil.

We should change the name to all cities so we try to related with our golden era.

— Arun (@arun2twitt) October 16, 2018

I welcome the decision of #Allahabad to be renamed #Prayagraj soon.Prayagraj is the ancient name of Allahabad & it was changed in 1575. So it’s a restoration & not a rename. Prayagraj is also known as Triveni Sangam
because of the confluence of 3 rivers. Well done UP Govt 👏👏👏

— Totlani Krishan (@kktotlani) October 16, 2018

#Prayagraj its good work by the Up cm. This will help in preserving our culture & heritage & mostly irk some pseudo secular in our country

— kailash ku. padhi (@kailashpadhi23) October 16, 2018